With the introduction of their new vest platforms, Diamondback Tactical has introduced their BattleLab Accessory Platform Pouches which are designed specifically for use with those platforms (Praetorian, Predator, AW-FAPC and FAPC Gen 2). All of these platforms have an accessory pocket that comes standard on the front panel. This pocket is inside the flap which lifts up for attachment of the FAR cummerbund. The opening is kept closed by velcro and two snaps. There is additional hook velcro lining the inside front of the pocket. The velcro and snaps provide the mounting base to which the Accessory Platform Pouches attach to, which greatly increase the utility of the pocket.

BlueForceGear has introduced a padded version of their VCAS (Vickers Combat Application Sling) featured in the writeup above. The padded version of the VCAS has the addition of a 22″ length of 2″ closed cell foam pad inside 2″ tubular webbing which helps distribute the load over a wider area with increased comfort.

The padded VCAS has all the same features of the original VCAS; constructed of the same 1.25″ nylon webbing with quick-adjust metal pull slider and tab for shortening or lengthening the sling on the fly.

This is something a lot of people have been waiting for (I, for one) – a MultiCam Soft Shell. It’s been a couple of years since I saw the prototype at the 2006 SHOT show in OTTE Gear’s booth, and it’s finally available now. OTTE’s Soft Shell line is called the Alpine line (their hard shell/Patrol Parka is in the writeup below). Featured here is OTTE Gear’s Alpine Jacket, in Crye MultiCam. It’s also available in Black, Coyote and Foliage Green. A matching softshell pant is also available.

Another cool offering from TAD Gear is the RDDP (Rapid Deploy Dump Pod), available in two sizes: small (Sz1) and large (Sz2). Like the Maxpedition Rollypoly (MM Folding Dump Pouch), the TAD Gear RDDP is a folding dump pod/pouch meant to provide a quick means of additional storage on the belt or rig for magazines or other items at a moment’s notice. However, the way it’s designed and folds up is completely different from the Rollypoly (it was actually designed in part by a buddy of mine who has the initials ‘MM’ coincidentally).

Have you ever needed to strap a bulky item like a sleeping bag or bulky jacket to the outside of a pack but had difficulty with it slipping out of the straps? Kifaru’s Military Pods are the simplest, quickest way of attaching large, bulky gear to the outside of your ruck.
Kifaru’s Grab-it Panel is a trapezoidal ‘beaver tail’ that attaches to the bottom of any Kifaru pack, and provides a means of stashing a jacket or bulky item outside the pack for quick and easy access.

Primary Weapons Systems (PWS), the same guys that produce the excellent DNTC and FSC556 muzzle brakes for the AR15, have introduced their piston system for the AR15. Having dealt with the AK system for some time, they wanted to bring the reliability of the AK to the AR15 platform with its superior ergonomics. Now, some would argue that a piston system for an AR15 is unnecessary except for some specific applications, but the market has shown that even if people don’t necessarily need one, they want the option of having one. Gene Stoner’s direct gas impingement system of the AR15 has proved to be a very reliable one, as long as it’s kept properly lubricated and fed with high quality ammo. Even so, the quest to improve upon that system under more conditions has led to the development of piston systems for the platform, like HK with its 416 and various other piston upper manufacturers. Whether or not they’re improvements over the original DI system can only be answered by the passage of time during which these new system prove themselves. Some have been complete replacement upper assemblies, others have been retrofit systems requiring minor modifications. The PWS system falls into that category – it’s a retrofit system that can be installed on an existing DI upper or on a brand new build. It’s not a drop-in system – it must be installed by PWS or an approved installer.

TAD Gear now has the companion top to their popular Force 10 Cargo Utility Cargo Trousers; the Force 10 Utility Top. Constructed of the lighter weight Crye Multicam 50/50 NYCO shirt weight twill, the TAD gear ‘black label’ Force 10 top has a host of practical features, like the trousers, and is made in the U.S.A.